PAGEANT Circle

The Top 16 finalists vying for Miss Universe Malaysia 2025 have been officially revealed in a press conference held on Thursday, July 31 at Holiday Inn Kuala Lumpur Bangsar. Former Miss Grand International Malaysia and runner-up of Miss Universe Malaysia 2020 Charissa Chong was also announced as the new national director during the event. "My goal is to ignite the potential within every Malaysian woman. With our 2025 tagline 'Redefining Your Journey,' we are creating a space where each finalist feels empowered to embrace her identity, celebrate our diversity, and pursue her dreams without limits," said the newly appointed director. The open call for applications began on May 4, attracting hundreds of women from across the country. A closed-door and an online audition were held on 14 June and 18 June, with evaluations conducted by a panel of esteemed judges. Contestants were assessed on intellect, cultural awareness, communication skills, poise, and confidence, with 26...

Andrea Valero was crowned Miss Universe Spain 2025 in a national competition held on Wednesday, July 30 at Plaza de San Agustín in Los Realejos, Tenerife. The 28-year-old entrepreneur from Galicia will represent Spain at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand this November. She succeeds last year's winner Michelle Jiménez. Rosalia Daud of Canaria and Julietta Salvatierra of Andalusia were announced the first and second runners-up, respectively. María Espí of Comunidad Valenciana and Esmeralda Fuentes of Comunidad de Madrid rounded out the Top 5 finalists. "I am filled with excitement and pride to represent Spain in Thailand. My goal is to carry our flag with dignity and make all Spaniards proud of me and our country," said the new Miss Universe Spain. "I know the road to November will be filled with hard work and dedication, but I'm determined to give it my all every step of the process," she added. Road to the 74th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagra...

Lihasha Lindsay-White was proclaimed the winner of Miss Universe Sri Lanka 2025 on Saturday, July 27 at the Shangri-La hotel in Colombo. The 27-year-old was crowned by her predecessor Melloney Dassanayaka and will now prepare to represent Sri Lanka at Miss Universe 2025. Kalani Athukorala and Sanduni Hettigoda were announced the first and second runners-up, respectively. Former Miss Earth winner Destiny Wagner from Belize was part of the judging panel. The 74th Miss Universe pageant will be held in Thailand this November. Meet the new Miss Universe Sri Lanka: View this post on Instagram A post shared by amanté Sri Lanka (@amantelk) Photos: Amanté / Instagram

Nadia Mejia-Webb, representing Comunidad USA, was crowned Miss Universe Ecuador 2025 in a national competition held on Saturday, July 26 at Palacio de Cristal in Guayaquil. The 29-year-old model and singer will now prepare to represent Ecuador at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand this November. Daphne Currat of Tungurahua and Christie Termidor of Región Sierra were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. Christiane Marques of Guayaquil and Mariola Vejarano of Guayas rounded out the Top 5 finalists. Reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark was a special guest at the pageant. The new Miss Universe Ecuador succeeds last year's winner Mara Topić who made the Top 30 at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico. Nadia is the daughter of Ecuadorian musician Gerardo Mejia and former Miss West Virginia USA Kathy Eicher. She is married to Australian Survivor star and actor Sam Webb since 2023. She is no stranger to pageantry, having won Miss California USA and made the...

Danielle Latimer beat over 30 other contestants to win Miss Universe Great Britain 2025 on Saturday, July 26 at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff, Wales. The 36-year-old entrepreneur, stylist and photographer will represent Great Britain at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand this November. Luissa Burton and Leigh Hutchinson were named the first and second runners-up, respectively. Last year's winner Christina Chalk crowned her successor at the end of the event. "Last night, I had the honour of crowning one of the most selfless, talented woman I know," Christina shared online after the pageant. "For years, she's been the quiet powerhouse behind the scenes, uplifting the UK pageant community with everything she has. This time, she stepped into the spotlight and gave her dream one final shot and she did it at 36," she added. The new Miss Universe Great Britain was raised in a humble household in the East End of London. She is a former Miss Grand Wal...

Yamilex Hernández was proclaimed the winner of Miss Universe Latina 2025 during the culmination of Telemundo's "Miss Universe Latina, El Reality" on Monday, July 21. The 29-year-old Dominican model and host living in New Jersey received her crown and sash from former Miss Universe winners Alicia Machado and Andrea Meza. She will now prepare to represent the Latin community of the United States at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand this November. Genesis Dávila was named first runner-up while Gemmy Quelliz, Laura Pérez and Andrea Bazarte were the second, third, and fourth runners-up, respectively. The first ever Miss Universe Latina winner in history holds a degree in communications, media, and film studies. She has worked in media outlets, including the radio program "Juego de damas" in her hometown. Yamilex is no stranger to pageantry, having previously joined Miss Dominican Republic twice. She finished as second runner-up in 2021 and first runner-up in 2023. In 20...

Olivia Yace has been officially appointed by the Miss Côte d'Ivoire Committee (COMICI) as Miss Universe Côte d'Ivoire 2025. An official announcement was made by the national pageant organization on Wednesday, July 23 thru social media. They wrote, "Join us in celebrating Olivia as she embarks along with COMICI in this exciting journey, representing our country on the global stage." Olivia is a 27-year-old model and tourism ambassador of her country. She will now prepare to represent Côte d'Ivoire at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand this November. She is no stranger to pageantry, having won Miss Côte d'Ivoire 2021 and went on to participate in the 70th Miss World in Puerto Rico where she finished second runner-up. Apart from her third placement at Miss World, she also won the Top Model challenge and was awarded the continental title of Miss World Africa. Road to the 74th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by OLIVIA YACE (...

Mayla Roth Benavides was proclaimed Miss Universe Costa Rica 2025 on Saturday, July 19 at Centro Internacional de Convenciones ANDE (CIC ANDE) in San Antonio. The 26-year-old business administration student from Cahuita de Limón was crowned by last year's winner Elena Hidalgo Ramirez. Daniela Pérez and Kristell Ruiz Freeman were the first and second runners-up, respectively, while Allison Leaver and Andrea Montero completed the Top 5 finalists. Reigning Miss Universe Victoria Kjær Theilvig of Denmark graced the glittering event as one of the special guests. No stranger to pageantry, the new Miss Universe Costa Rica has previously joined Miss International 2022 in Japan and made the Top 15 among 66 contestants. Mayla will now prepare to represent Costa Rica at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand this November. Road to the 74th Miss Universe: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miss Universe Costa Rica (@missuniverse.c...

Johanna Swartbooi was crowned Miss Namibia 2025 in a glittering national competition held on Saturday, July 19 at Ongwediva Trade Fair, Queens Hall. The 27-year-old award-winning international model and accessory designer from Vaalgras is expected to represent Namibia at Miss Universe 2025 in Thailand this November. Uatjiri Mbaisa and Tuilika Andreas were announced as the first and second runners-up, respectively. The new Miss Namibia beat nine other finalists to win this year's pageant. She succeeds last year's winner Prisca Anyolo. No stranger to pageantry, Johanna has previously placed second runner-up when she joined Miss Namibia for the first time in 2019. "I'm overjoyed and filled with gratitude beyond words. God truly made a way for me to persevere, to rise, and to live this dream, becoming your Miss Namibia," she shared online after winning her crown. "Thank you for the endless love, the messages, the prayers, and every single moment of support. Each ...

Lina Luaces was crowned Miss Universe Cuba 2025 in a national competition held last July 8 at Milander Park in Hialeah, Florida, USA. The 22-year-old model representing Santiago de Cuba succeeds last year's winner Marianela Ancheta who made the Top 30 at Miss Universe 2024 in Mexico. Lisbeth Fernández of Pinar del Río and Vanessa Villareal of Región Oriente were the first and second runners-up, respectively. Mia Donadio of Isla de la Juventud and Sheila Laza of Región Central rouded out the Top 5 finalists. The new Miss Universe Cuba will head to Thailand to compete in the Miss Universe 2025 pageant this November. Born in Miami to Lebanese roots, Lina is the daughter of Cuban presenter Lili Estefan and businessman Lorenzo Luaces, and the niece of Cuban-American musician and film producer Emilio Estefan and Cuban singer and actress Gloria Estefan. She is also related to Mexican singer, songwriter and actress Thalia. In a recent post on social media, Lin...